(1x03) Scream Like A Girl: Fight or Flight!

[entkayjay]

This is the discussion thread for S1E3, Fight or Flight! All Delphic Expanse rules of engagement apply.

Written by: Rick Berman and Brannon Braga
Directed by: Allan Kroeker (Rogue Planet, Shockwave 1&2, Canamar, The Expanse, The Xindi, Azati Prime, Zero Hour, Stormfront 1, Home, Bound, TATV)

There is a Rewatch Chat scheduled for 12:30am GMT (February 9) in either the chat forum here if our local magicians manage to make it appear, or at Tinychat.com. Or whenever anyone else wants to watch and chat! (I'll assume instructions for Tinychat would be posted in the Live Chat Thread if needed.)

Thanks for the fantastic discussion in our inaugural thread last week... let's do even better this week!

[Brandyjane]

Random Observations:
- Why is Travis the one helping Malcolm with the weapons system?
- One thing I noticed this time that I didn't notice before was Archer's slide down the stair rails when he went to speak with Travis and Reed about the weapons targeting. I love that!
- It's pretty funny to me how so many people on the ship are so concerned about poor little Sluggo. Trip and Jon both inquire about its health. They really must have been pretty bored if a SLUG is the talk of the ship. For some reason I think Trip probably named it. I really don't get how dropping it off on some random planet is a good idea, though. What if it reproduces asexually or is already fertile? What's it supposed to eat?
- The dead aliens hanging from the ceiling really were creepy. I just got through watching "Aliens," so maybe that affected my state of mind, but that scene really did remind me of something from a horror movie.
- I like the fact that Hoshi is scared. It's more realistic than having everyone acting totally okay about the whole situation. I think they did a pretty good job with easing her into her position. She would have been too annoying if they'd made her whiny and scared for too many episodes. I think this was just about right.
- The way Hoshi acts around Jon really makes me think there's a history between those two, though I don't think it was necessarily sexual. I just think that they probably knew each other on more than just a strictly professional basis. There were a couple of scenes where it seemed like she was waiting for something from him, but he wasn't picking up on it. To me it seemed like more than just hesitancy about expressing her fears to the captain, though it is entirely possible I'm reading too much into things.
- Trip seemed to expect that Jon would take him on away missions just because they are friends. I've read comments on other boards from people who don't like Trip and accuse him of getting preferential treatment. This episode contradicts that theory. I like how they show that Archer is not going to let Trip have his way about everything just because they're friends.
- I liked how Trip and T'Pol tried to work together in the captain's mess to change the subject from the dead aliens to a stellar nursery. There seemed to be some non-verbal communication going on between those two.
- Trip complains that they've been there for two weeks but only made contact with a dying worm. Does he mean two weeks from the time they left the Klingons or two weeks total? I've always assumed the former, but I'm not sure if that's made clear anywhere.

[EntAllat]

My reaction to this episode is the complete opposite of Kevin's! Well, except for the Sluggo B-story. I had the same "you did what??" reaction there, probably because I've spent a lot of time around folks who work to fight invasive species (and save natives that are getting choked out out of our local river). Besides, poor Sluggo! Marooned on a planet far from home and slimy friends!

Anyway, this was definitely a good Hoshi episode. I liked the fact that they had a character showcase ep early on since I like getting the background of characters mixed in with the sci-fi of the story. It's also a nice tip of the hat to Nichelle Nichols's early frustration with Uhura, showcasing just how complicated and important the comm officer's job really is - nothing like a glorified switchboard operator.

I didn't find Hoshi whiny. Rather, she just seems extremely uncomfortable and out of her element. In fact, I came to sympathize immediately with Hoshi here, quite possibly because she reminds me of someone real I know - a complete perfectionist who's not really into the whole "exploring", "camping", "adventure" thing but driven enough in her field to put herself into those situations in order to pursue that field. Hoshi's even willing to - face claustrophobia on a daily basis to pursue those alien languages. She's well aware of her inadequacies and struggles to deal with them, even sounding annoyed at herself: "I screamed like a twelve year old girl!"

But she's got a point too: none of them expected their first contact with an intelligent species (beyond the events of "Broken Bow") to be right out of a horror movie. Moreover, Hoshi seems to have what every female prodigy I know has - a personal sense that she's not as really good as she (in fact) is. I don't know why this is so common among gifted, brilliant women, but it is, and Hoshi's a perfect example here of that "They're going to find out I'm a fake" insecurity that seems to plague that group. Two mathematicians and three female physicists I know would tell me they have fairly frequent panic attacks and an impending sense of failure on a regular basis, which makes no sense to me. Hoshi even has the same personality as they do - strong in some things and bafflingly scared/insecure in others. All of this made this character very real to me.

My favorite moments of this episode:

• PORTHOS. Especially the pacing back and forth for the cheese.
• "You've been probed, Ensign. We've all been probed." "I wonder if they'd let me watch." Phlox gets some good lines early on.
• Malcolm pleased about getting to test the targeting matrix by firing real torpedoes
• Malcolm disappointed about not getting to fire any more torpedoes.
• Malcolm disappointed about not getting to use micro-charges.
• Malcolm disappointed about not getting to put together a security detail.
• Malcolm getting to fire torpedoes at the baddies.

There's a theme here. Seriously, Malcolm shone as the tactical officer here and his personality comes through very quickly in very little. For example, the tone of his correction of the number of dead, "fifteen", was enough to give a little depth to that character right away. Also nice was Trip's attempt to ease the chilly atmosphere over dinner, and T'Pol's willingness to go along with that. As much as he and T'Pol argue at this point in the series, Trip never seems comfortable when T'Pol and Archer argue.

It's a great point in the episode that both T'Pol and Archer were right. Staying put the crew in jeopardy and they could do nothing pragmatic for the dead crew. But Archer was right too, in going back and doing something that was more symbolic and in keeping with Human nature by helping the dead and it eventually earned them a momentary ally. Archer is very naive in these early episodes, but that made sense to me. If Earth hadn't seen a single war in his lifetime, and the Vulcans had been nothing but benevolent zen masters, and his personal driving force is to honor his father by seeing that this warp 5 engine took Humans to "new worlds and new civilizations", then it's going to be a long road for him to lose the earnestness and eagerness. Only Malcolm here has that sense of caution, probably because of - though we don't know it yet - Section 31.

This episode also provided a few interesting bits regarding Phlox's personality and background. (And since I was taking notes for things I've forgotten about for fic details, his early medical training will show up once again in a fic I'm working on.) He's perceptive, funny, fatherly, and a little weird (even kinky by Human standards).

I mentioned it in the chat session that when I first saw this ep I could have sworn that Hoshi was shouting "Shit!" into her UT instead of "Ship!" And yet again I saw the outtake during the scene when Archer is looking for the squeak in the floorboard. Nice way of pointing out how little things can start to rankle you when the boredom sets in.

That alien spaceship was seriously badass looking. I wish there was a scale model kit for that one.

Finally, given that the Axanars live over 400 years one wonders if this particular Axanars pilot would have met any of our later Trek heroes or been at "The Battle of Axanar".

Just one disappointment:
Hoshi's obviously a teacher, an academic, who loves culture and language and details so I do wonder how Hoshi came to be in Starfleet rather than a diplomatic core. But based on the rather informal nature between her and Archer, I would have guessed that he had something to do with that (especially since he knew how to get her to agree to leave Brazil and her students behind early). It's too bad that this is never explored more fully in later episodes. We know how Trip came to meet Archer, how T'Pol, Phlox and even Travis (sort of) met the Captain, but we never really learn this about Hoshi and Archer.

[Honeybee]

One thing that I think is pretty clear in the subtext here, is that Hoshi supposed to be very young. Another issue with prodigies is that they often have tremendous ability coupled with maturity equal to their own chronological age. She can do the work, but no matter how much training she's had, she still panics.

Personally, I'd panic, too if I saw a bunch of bodies on hooks. Love the Alien homage with that, and if any of you are fans of that film, even tough-as-nails Ripley freaks out when she finds her comrades strung up alive like that. (Which is way worse that what Hoshi finds, to be sure).

It's pretty funny to me how so many people on the ship are so concerned about poor little Sluggo. Trip and Jon both inquire about its health. They really must have been pretty bored if a SLUG is the talk of the ship. For some reason I think Trip probably named it. I really don't get how dropping it off on some random planet is a good idea, though. What if it reproduces asexually or is already fertile? What's it supposed to eat?

I remember thinking it was a bad idea to free that slug on a planet where it is non-indigenous, but I figure that they checked into the issues beforehand, and it won't become invasive. NASA is already aware of these issues, so I imagine Starfleet would have some regulations regarding this, too.

But, I did like how they are all interested in Sluggo. After all the excitement of Broken Bow and the build up to the mission, the first few weeks turn out to be so dull that even the captain is interested in a slug. It's a be careful what you wish for situation to be sure.

[Kathy Rose]

Just a few comments, and I'll try not to repeat what others have said...

I love the crew interaction. Unlike later seasons, this episode highlights what an ensemble cast can do. Even though the focus was on the alien ship with its dead crew and Hoshi's problems adjusting to life in space, everyone got something to do. After having seen all four seasons, I especially appreciate that Hoshi got a large role in this episode, when later sometimes all she got to do was opening hailing frequencies.

It was realistic, I think, that they are working out the bugs. Yeah, they could have gone back to Earth, but as long as they're out in space, I can understand the appeal of staying there. That there are things that need work -- the targeting scanners, more power for sickbay (opening scene when Trip comes to sickbay), the squeak in the ready room... these are all things that if they'd had more time before they left Earth would have been taken care of. Since they didn't return after BB, they're dealing with some of the consequences.

Once again I was impressed by T'Pol's strict adherence to Vulcanism (is that even a word?), even as she comes off as abrasive and being a know-it-all. She serves as a good foil for Archer. Just about every time she argues for something, it pushes him the other way. It also serves to emphasize that Archer isn't going to give up his humanity/compassion, even if leaving the alien ship and fleeing the area might be the safe thing to do in this situation.

The humor sprinkled throughout the episode reminded me so much of TOS. A lot of the lines were great. Hoshi's "I don't think you need a translator" when they see the dead aliens, and Phlox's "Do you think they might let me watch?" in the mess hall when he's talking about some of the crew men who "are preparing to mate" made me laugh out loud.

I also think we see a glimpse of what makes Archer a good captain/leader at the very end of the episode. After Hoshi successfully talks with the alien leader, he says to her, "I think we just made a new friend -- thanks to you." Positive reinforcement! He pushed her to do well, and when she comes through, he gives her some deserved praise.

There's also a bit of that in the sequence where Malcolm launches the torpedos. When one of the torpedos heads back at the ship, there's a shot of apprehensive Hoshi, but Archer just turns around in his seat to look at Malcolm. He doesn't yell or panic (although he may have said Malcolm's name but I don't remember). Malcolm is already working on it, and sends a command to blow up the torpedo before it can reach Enterprise. Archer knows his people, apparently, even this early. He knows his tactical officer will rectify the situation.

Sluggo... yeah, they probably shouldn't have removed it from its homeworld, but I assume they have some kind of protocols in place, sort of like decon. But that doesn't mean they should have brought Sluggo on board.

[JiNX-01]

Haven't re-watched yet. So I'll be playing catch-up this afternoon. I'll try to do better keeping to schedule next week.

[tish]

Very good points made, so I will only add a few tidbits I saw that were rather subtle

I liked the way Archer makes a point of getting input and chats with all his people, listens to them and takes their concerns, requests, and ideas into consideration. We also find out early on as an audience, that Archer will be captain on site with all the away missions, not delegating to his first officer....a hands on, first in / last out kind of leader.

This is what makes Enterprise such a good series. The power trio Archer/T'Pol/Tucker at the nucleus of most storylines, with interweaving of the other four (five if we include Porthos! ) characters being developed. I think this provided the audience with a familial connection to this particular crew, gave us a direct link to them, their history, and their lives, and made us care about their trials and triumphs. They were so much like us.

Another really nice background note....the people playing crew members behind the dialogue were 'regulars' even though few had speaking parts. I did like seeing them on the bridge, in the corridors, saying 'HI' to the regulars, working in the various areas of the ship and visiting the the mess hall for dinners or movies. Two of my favorites were a tall dark haired man usually at Reed's post when he was gone, and a red haired woman in engineering or the back of the bridge.

[Glory1863]

I didn't have a problem with Hoshi screaming when she saw the dead bodies. If STE has been on cable, I figure one of the guys would have let loose with an expletive not deleted comment which I pretty much equate with a male scream. I also know a couple guys in law enforcement who would probably have turned away, thrown up and then gone back to work if they'd walked into that scene. Given that our heroes are in EV suits, screaming is probably a better response than throwing up.

I'm glad that they toned down Hoshi's panic attacks. I appreciate what ya'll are saying about it's good to see someone scared, she's young, she's afraid they're going to find out she's a fake, etc., but my problem with BB was that they seemed to be pandering to two common stereotypes of women: They're either helpless, insecure and kind of ditzy (Hoshi) or they're competent, in charge and out to emasculate men (T'Pol). It's been 100 years and we still haven't gotten past those? Of course TOS was 200 years on, and they thought women were only there to moon over guys or put out for them - except for Uhura, of course.

I can appreciate T'Pol's caution that "curiosity killed the cat", but I was left kind of wondering why Vulcans went out into space at all if curiosity wasn't part of it. I also figure that if you go out in a shuttlepod, the OnStar or Lifeline better be working because if you've fallen and you can't get up to beg for help, don't count on the Vulcans taking an interest. I guess I'm just saying that the attitude seemed a bit strident. Besides, there was no guarantee that bypassing that ship wouldn't have led to Enterprise meeting up with the lymphatic sucking bad guys in any case.

I really appreciated Archer going back to do what human ethos/family values said was the right thing to do and making the point that just because human ethos/family values weren't the same as Vulcans' or others' didn't mean that humans didn't have any.

The point of the story seemed to be what a lot of travel show hosts like Rick Steves on PBS say on their shows: Making the effort to communicate with someone in their own language - no matter how limited your skill - is often appreciated.

As for continuing the mission so ill prepared: Wasn't there a concern that if they went back to Earth, Soval and the other Vulcans would go out of their way to keep them there?

[Kathy Rose]

I can appreciate T'Pol's caution that "curiosity killed the cat", but I was left kind of wondering why Vulcans went out into space at all if curiosity wasn't part of it. I also figure that if you go out in a shuttlepod, the OnStar or Lifeline better be working because if you've fallen and you can't get up to beg for help, don't count on the Vulcans taking an interest. I guess I'm just saying that the attitude seemed a bit strident.

When the series originally aired, that was my opinion as well. But now in rewatching the series, and having the advantage of knowing what happens in the future, the Vulcans didn't seem as harsh to me as the first time around. I can picture the Vulcans being like T'Pol and Soval at this time period. And let's face it -- we all know humans turned out to be a good influence on Vulcans.

As for continuing the mission so ill prepared: Wasn't there a concern that if they went back to Earth, Soval and the other Vulcans would go out of their way to keep them there?

I'm not sure if that was said in so many words in the series, other than in frustration by one of the characters, but I think it was also sort of Starfleet thumbing its nose at the Vulcans, as if to say, "We're out here now and there's nothing you can do about it."

[entkayjay]

First, I can't tell you how cool this is, to read everyone's comments about the same episode. Very thoughtful comments, with the added benefit of having perspective not only on the entire run of the show, but years of fan fiction, fanon, discussion and debate over just about every little thing. I think it's special to have this experience, especially since I personally didn't have as broad a fanbase to read during the first run. Thanks, everyone!

Riffing off of other people's comments to jog my memory:

• Sluggo -- I too wondered if they should have taken it off its homeworld, but if the Vulcans didn't have it in their database (probable, since it was a worm) I can see wanting to keep something like this for study, like bringing rocks from the Moon. That Hoshi (and everyone else) is so worried about it is the real "surprise," ie, they anthropomorphize it, which makes sense but is still a point of interest. I know the whole reason they did it was to parallel Hoshi's experience, it's just obvious. But cute.
  
• Archer's slide down the stairs -- I'd seen this in vids but did not remember it was this early! I think it's the only time he did that, too... I think Malcolm does it in Shockwave 2.
  
• I loved the overall tone of this episode, just as I did Broken Bow. Darker (with some humor though), scarier -- I don't like horror but I loved Alien, and got the same vibe from the Corpses On Hooks as I did in some of Torchwood. That part of it felt more mature than a lot of other Trek.
  
• I adore the scene when Hoshi and Trip are trying to decipher the language. I don't believe that those two characters got much screen time with each other, and definitely not in-depth, until late in S4 when they are both in quarantine. It's a shame, because their conversations were revealing and casual.
  
• Like Malcolm, I would have liked the ship to be more prepared, but that wouldn't make for good drama, would it? While part of me thinks, "hello, what about potential bad guys?" I think back to Travis' comment about his dad only having run-ins a half dozen times over 20 years, so maybe all of Starfleet/humanity is a little naive about what they'll find out there and what the reaction to us will be. After all, Earth overcame its darker sides for the most part, and Vulcans are pretty fly apparently, so what could go wrong? I don't think the captain should have given GPS coordinates to everyone they met, but I'm assuming that was discussed looooooong beforehand with Starfleet. It is not without precedence, seeing that Voyager 1 includes the Golden Record with information on where it originated (hint: Earth!).
  
• My Archer/Reed moments -- Aw, lookie, Jon already wants to make Malcolm happy by finding him things to blow up. And Malcolm lights up, whoo hoo! Also more establishment of the invisible thread that runs from the Captain's chair to the Tactical station, with a very calm but firm "Malcolm..." being said before the errant photon torpedo detonates. Fanon and canon is also established early on with regard to Jon's looser command style and lack of security protocols ("I'm aware of your concerns in that area." -- Minefield).
  
• I want to watch it again to check, but I could swear I heard the damn squeak in the Ready Room on our home theater system. Anyone else?
  
• Also, oh snap, T'Pol! Archer talking about pulling up all the deck plating to find the noise, and she's all, *sniff* "That would be... unfortunate." Great delivery, great line Jolene!
  
• Seeing Archer's encouraging face-to-face with Hoshi at the height of their danger with the unknown alien ship really shadowed (would say foreshadowed but they didn't think ahead, only returned to what had been done previously) how Archer handled Hoshi at the end of S3, when he needed her once again to save the day.
  
• Torpedoes! -- We see them being loaded, which is ubercool but at the same time, wow, labor intensive. One person in an 80 man crew has to put them in one at a time. Hope he doesn't pull a hamstring during a battle.

All in all, I really liked this episode, and I think it was a good choice for running second.